FOP Legislative Update Week #10
What a legislative session it has been. The 2008 legislative session ended Friday, April 4th, 2008. The session opened with much optimism and a sense of cohesion amongst the leadership at the Capitol. Said Speaker Glenn Richardson at the time, “During this legislative session the governor, the Lieutenant Governor and I are committed to improving the way of life for all Georgians, and because we share this common thread, I know we will succeed. That optimism and cohesion soon dissolved and just before the final hour was upon the legislative session the once optimistic speaker summed up his frustration, “I hope Georgians…will thank him (Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle) tomorrow and send him e-mails and tell him we’re sick of Casey Cagle. Time to get a new lieutenant governor in this state.”
The Speaker’s “GREAT” tax plan, which he said
would have offered tax relief to millions of Georgians had failed; a
plan that he had worked on and touted across
The Senate didn’t act on passing the bill to
eliminate the ad valorem tax on cars, and Speaker Richardson placed
the blame on Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and the Senate.
The Senate and Cagle, fired back, saying that
In the House and Senate failing to come to an
agreement on some type of tax relief or tax shift for Georgians,
there was another casualty as well. Funding for
Transportation industry proponents and lobbyists
pushed very hard for a 1% sales tax increase to fund transportation
improvements in regions as well.
Industries not happy with a sales tax increase, such as
retail and car dealers, pushed back on the proposal and asked for
certain exemptions and sales tax caps with economic figures not
currently looking very good in Georgia.
On the fortieth day at
Not
all was lost this legislative session, however, as there were a
number of positive bills that made their way through the session.
Water, drought, other types of tax relief, healthcare,
foreclosure problems, dogfighting, and telecommunication were big
topics of discussion as the session started, and a number of bills
were able to successfully pass this legislative session.
SB 342, which would build more public reservoirs so that
As far as FOP is concerned, Friday was a tense day
as we waited on the outcomes of two major pieces of legislation,
Senate Resolution 820 and the budget.
Each year, the budget is proposed by an appropriations
committee from each chamber.
The budget from both the House and Senate are then voted on
by the original chamber and then sent to the other chamber and voted
upon once again. If
either budget does not pass the opposite chamber, a conference
committee is appointed.
This year, a conference committee was appointed which contained
three veteran Senators and three veteran House members to make the
final decisions. The
conference committee report was delivered to the legislators’ desks
at
Below you will find a list of bills and resolutions that are most important to FOP. If you would like to retrieve a complete copy of a bill or resolution you can access the information from the links below.
Bills of Concern:
Highlighted bills are bills that have the opportunity to be passed by both the House and Senate this Session
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb4.htm
Status:
HB 5: Aims to add a points penalty for the use of cellular, hands-free, or mobile telephones or other wireless communication devices under certain circumstances; to change certain provisions related to exercising due care in operating a motor vehicle and the proper use of radios and mobile telephones.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb5.htm
Status:
House Motor Vehicles Second Read
HB 6: Aims to prohibit certain confiscation of legally owned and carried firearms during certain emergency conditions; to provide for exceptions; to provide for civil penalties; to amend Code Section 38-3-51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the emergency powers of the Governor, so as to limit the Governor´s emergency powers with respect to firearms.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/versions/hb6_LC_29_2480_a_3.htm
Status:
House withdrawn, recommitted
HB 7: Aims to change certain provisions regarding the transporting of certain firearms; to provide for related matters.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb7.htm
Status:
HB 26: Aims to provide for limitations on admission of extrinsic transactions into evidence.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb26.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 48: Aims to provide definitions relating to the Georgia State Indemnification Fund. It defines ‘in the line of duty’ for emergency medical technicians, fire fighters, law enforcement officers, prison guards, and state highway employees.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb48.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 74: Aims to authorize peace officers rendering assistance to state or local law enforcement agencies to exercise the power of arrest; to provide limitations to liability for acts arising from the provision of law enforcement assistance to law enforcement agencies
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb74.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 75: Aims to provide for additional offenses which amount to felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in the case of a serious traffic offense.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb75.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
*HB 89: Aims to provide for a felony for soliciting, persuading, encouraging, or enticing any dealer to transfer or otherwise convey a firearm to anyone other than the actual buyer; to amend Part 3 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the carrying and possession of firearms, so as to change certain provisions relating to carrying deadly weapons to or at public gatherings; to provide for constables to carry pistols in publicly owned or operated buildings; to exempt constables from the prohibition of carrying weapons within school safety zones, at school functions, or on school property; to change certain provisions regarding the transportation and carrying of certain firearms; to prohibit the carrying of firearms and other weapons into certain buildings; to provide a definition; to authorize the carrying of firearms in certain locations; to require the timely issuance of firearm licenses; to prohibit certain employers from searching the private vehicles of employees; to prohibit employers from conditioning employment based upon certain regulations regarding the possession of a firearm; to provide exceptions; to provide certain immunity for employers; to provide for civil remedies; to provide for the timely issuance of firearms permits and licenses; to provide for remedies for failure to receive firearms permits or licenses under certain circumstances; to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages while carrying a firearm under certain circumstances; to amend Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to torts, so as to provide certain immunity from liability for certain persons and entities that voluntarily and without compensation assist state agencies during times of declared emergencies.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb89.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 99: Aims to provide tax exemptions for unremarried surviving spouses of peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty. Also provides a definition for the term "in the line of duty" as the term is used to provide a homestead exemption for the full value of the homestead with respect to all ad valorem taxes for designated unremarried surviving spouses of peace officers or firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb99.htm
Status:
House Ways and Means Second Read
HB 114: Aims to require the use of seat belts in pickup trucks; to require the use of safety belts by occupants in the rear seats of a passenger vehicle.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb114.htm
Status:
House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Second
Read
HB 126: Aims to provide that a verdict in a felony case, other than a case involving the death penalty, shall be agreed to by at least 11 of the 12 jurors. Additionally, it intends to provide that a verdict in a criminal case in which the death penalty is sought shall be agreed to by all 12 jurors
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb126.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 143: Aims to prohibit certain employers from prohibiting employees from lawfully carrying and possessing firearms in locked motor vehicles and to provide for immunity for employers who allow employees to possess firearms in locked vehicles on the premises of such employer.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb143.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 149: Aims to require policies that prohibit law enforcement officers from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to stop a motorist and to require annual training of law enforcement officers on impermissible uses of race and ethnicity in stopping vehicles. Additionally it intends to require law enforcement officers to document the race, ethnicity, and gender of a motorist and passengers.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb149.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 150: Relates to retirement benefits under the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia for those in service in the Uniform Division of the Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that certain members of such retirement system may elect to pay an additional employee contribution to such retirement system; to provide that any such person may retire at age 55 or after attaining at least 25 years of creditable service and receive an enhanced retirement benefit; to provide that any such election shall be irrevocable; to provide for persons in service on July 1, 2008.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb149.htm
Status:
House Retirement Second Read
HB 170: Relates to service creditable toward retirement benefits under the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, so as to provide that any person eligible to obtain creditable service for prior service as a temporary full-time employee may obtain additional creditable service as a temporary full-time or part-time employee. Also, it intends to provide a method for determining an apportionment of creditable service for days worked and to provide for application and payment of contributions.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb170.htm
Status:
House Retirement Second Read
HB 174: Aims to prohibit the use of cellular, hands-free, or mobile telephones by holders of instruction permits and Class D licenses and to add a points penalty for the unlawful use of cellular, hands-free, or mobile telephones by holders of instruction permits and Class D licenses
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb174.htm
Status:
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
HB 200: Relating to horns, exhaust systems, mirrors, windshields, tires, safety belts, and energy absorption systems, so as to eliminate certain exceptions to the required use of safety belts; to provide that the failure to use such safety belts may be evidence of causation, negligence, and contributory negligence.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb200.htm
Status:
House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Second Read
HB 209: Aims to change the date by which application for creditable service for prior service as narcotics agents must be submitted and to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal. In order to be eligible for such creditable service, the member must make application as prescribed by the board not later than December 31, 2008, or one year after becoming a member of the retirement system, whichever date is later, provide proof of such prior service, and pay the employee contributions which he or she would have paid if he or she had been a member of the retirement system, together with regular interest thereon.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb209.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 218: Relates to the application of traffic laws and enforcement by security guards employed with the Georgia Ports Authority, so as to require that those employees of the authority who are authorized to exercise the powers of arrest shall be certified peace officers subject to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb218.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 298: Relates to tax exemptions for unremarried surviving spouses of peace officers and firefighters, so as to provide a definition for the term "in the line of duty" as the term is used to provide a homestead exemption for the full value of the homestead with respect to all ad valorem taxes for designated unremarried surviving spouses of peace officers or firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb298.htm
Status:
House Ways and Means Second Read
HB 308: Aims to require a procedure for enhancing eyewitness identification accuracy; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for general guidelines relating to the development of eyewitness identification protocol and exceptions thereto; to provide for procedures to compose and present photo lineups and live lineups to witnesses; to provide for instructions to be given to witnesses who view lineups; to provide for documentation of identification procedures; to provide for training in enhancing eyewitness identification accuracy.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb308.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 368: Aims to allow the commissioner of public safety, with the approval of the Board of Public Safety, to sell or trade-in surplus motor vehicles and use the proceeds of the sale or trade-in towards the purchase of new motor vehicles; to provide that the commissioner, with the approval of the board and subject to available funds, shall have the discretion to determine when to purchase new motor vehicles for the department.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb368.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 373: Relates to retirement benefits in the Employees´ Retirement System of Georgia for those in service in the Uniform Division of the Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that such persons may return to full-time employment and retain their retirement benefits.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb373.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 560: Relates to use of speed detection and traffic-control signal monitoring devices, so as to change certain provisions relating to speed detection devices; to define a term; to provide certain restrictions for photographic speed detection devices.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb560.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 631: Relates to inadmissibility of evidence obtained by speed detection devices in certain areas, so as to remove the restriction on use of speed detection devices on a highway which has a grade in excess of 7 percent.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb631.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 639: Relates to retirement benefits for those in service in Uniform Division of the Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that certain persons employed by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles shall be eligible to retire after attaining age 55 and receive a normal retirement benefit; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb639.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 650: Aims to increase fines for failure to wear safety belts. It states that anyone guilty of the offense of failure to wear a seat safety belt shall be fined no more than $50 for the first offense and no more than $100 for the second offense. The current fine for failure to wear a safety belt is $15 for adults and $25 for minors.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb650.htm
Status:
House Motor Vehicles Second Read
HB 653:
Relates to bombs, explosives, and chemical and biological
weapons, so as to expand the crime of hoax devices; to increase
penalties for hoax devices; to provide for additional restitution as
it relates to hoax devices.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb653.htm
Status:
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
HB 658: Relates to allowance payable under the Employees´ Retirement System of Georgia upon death, disability, or involuntary separation from employment, restrictions on separating from state service, and employee entitled to involuntary separation benefits, so as to provide that disability benefit calculations shall be applicable without regard to age.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb658.htm
Status:
House Retirement Second Read
HB 659: Relates to prior service credit and payments to obtain credit in the Employees´ Retirement System of Georgia, so as to extend the date by which a member must apply for creditable service for certain military service.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb659.htm
Status:
House Retirement Second Read
HB 669: Aims to change certain provisions relating to the membership of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards Board and Training Council.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb669.htm
Status:
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Second Read
HB 699: To create and establish the "Georgia Law Enforcement Tuition and Training Act" relating to traffic-control signal monitoring devices, so as to make substantial revisions to provisions relating to traffic-control signal monitoring devices; to provide regulation of the use of traffic-control signal monitoring devices by the Department of Public Safety.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb699.htm
Status:
House Motor Vehicles Second Read
HB 722: Aims to require policies that prohibit law enforcement officers from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to stop a motorist; to require annual training of law enforcement officers on impermissible uses of race and ethnicity in stopping vehicles; to require law enforcement officers to document the race, ethnicity, and gender of a motorist and passengers.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb722.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HR 30: Proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that the General Assembly shall be authorized to enact legislation and appropriate funds necessary to provide for retirement credit for retired members of the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund for service rendered prior to January 1, 1976; to provide that such legislation may provide for membership in such fund for peace officers who rendered service as a peace officer prior to January 1, 1976, but who are not members of the fund on July 1, 2009
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hr30.htm
Status:
House Retirement Second Read
HR 424:
Creating the House Study Committee on the Power of Arrest and
Peace Officer Certification in
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hr424.htm
Status:
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
*SB 1: Relates to the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board, so as to repeal certain provisions relating to residency and employment restrictions for certain sexual offenders; to provide for restrictions on where sexual offenders and sexually dangerous predators may reside, work, volunteer, or loiter; to provide for restrictions on photographing a minor under certain circumstances; to provide for definitions; to provide for punishment; to provide for exemptions from certain residency and employment restrictions; to provide for civil causes of action.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/versions/sb1_As_passed_Senate_5.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 4: Aims to provide for penalties for making a false statement relating to motor vehicles or traffic or aiding or abetting another to do so.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb4.htm
Status:
Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security First Read
SB 15: Aims to change certain provisions relating to driver’s license requirement, surrender of prior licenses, and prohibition of local licenses and to change certain provisions relating to driving while license suspended or revoked;to amend Code Section 42-4-14 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to determination of nationality of person charged with felony or driving under the influence and confined in a jail facility, so as to provide for determination of nationality of person convicted of driving without being licensed. Additionally, it intends to specify punishments for driving without being licensed making the third offense in five years a felony.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/versions/sb15_As_passed_Senate_5.htm
Status:
Senate Passed Adopted
SB 21: Aims to change the punishment when the murder victim is a peace officer, corrections employee, or firefighter while engaged in the performance of his or her official duties. The punishment would be life without parole or death penalty.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb21.htm
Status:
Senate Judiciary First Read
SB 36: Relates to the appointment of the executive director of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, so as to provide for salary increases for certified investigators employed with the council consistent with other state employed certified investigators.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb36.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 43: Aims to prohibit certain employers from prohibiting employees from lawfully carrying and possessing firearms in locked motor vehicles; to provide for immunity for employers who allow employees to possess firearms in locked vehicles on the premises of such employer unless the employer knew or, in the exercise of ordinary care, should have known that the person using such firearm would commit such criminal act on the employer’s premises. Nothing contained in this Code section shall create a new duty on the part of the employer.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb43.htm
Status:
Senate Judiciary Favorable Reported
*SB 80: Aims to amend the "Public Retirement Systems Investment Authority Law," so as to define certain terms; to provide that certain public retirement systems may invest retirement system assets in certain types of alternative investments, private placements, and other private investments; to provide that such investments may be made up to a certain amount; to shield information related to such investment from public scrutiny; to provide for a code of ethics; to amend the code relating to when public disclosure of records is not required and disclosure exempting legal authority, so as to exempt certain public records from public inspection.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb80.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 91:
Relates to serious traffic offenses, so as to change provisions
relating to punishment for the offense of fleeing or attempting to
elude a pursuing police vehicle or police officer; to provide for
related matters; to provide for an effective date and for
applicability.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb91.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 100: Aims to increase penalties for knowingly manufacturing, selling, or distributing false identification documents, so as to change the penalties for such offense based upon the age of the person convicted. Penalties for persons under the age of 21 would only be a misdemeanor.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb100.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 119: Aims to provide victims of crime and members of their immediate family with certain rights; to provide for certain procedures relating to a victim of a crime or member of the immediate family; to provide for certain exemptions for a victim of a crime or a delinquent act; to provide certain requirements relating to the testimony of the victim of a crime or a delinquent act; to provide for application to criminal proceedings and juvenile delinquency proceedings.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb119.htm
Status:
Senate Recommitted
*SB 125: Aims to specify that instruments charging violations of speed regulations shall state whether the violation occurred on a two-lane road or highway; to provide for additional penalties to be administered by the Department of Driver Services for certain traffic offenses.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb125.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 127: Relates to retirement benefits under the Employees´ Retirement System of Georgia for those in service in the Uniform Division of the Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that certain members of such retirement system may elect to pay an additional employee contribution to such retirement system; to provide that any such person may retire at age 55 or after attaining at least 25 years of creditable service and receive an enhanced retirement benefit; to provide that any such election shall be irrevocable.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb127.htm
Status:
Senate Retirement First Read
SB 161: Relates to reexamination of persons receiving disability benefits under the Employees´ Retirement System of Georgia, effect of refusal to undergo examination, and effect of ability to engage in gainful employment, so as to delete provisions providing for physical examinations done at a place convenient to the beneficiary; to provide that a beneficiary who has not reached the age of 60 shall submit to an examination; to provide that the disability retirement benefit of certain members shall be reduced by such amounts that the beneficiary receives from workers´ compensation.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb161.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
*SB 174: Aims to provide for the development of medical and physical fitness standards for persons employed in positions in state government; to provide for the appointment of a medical review board; to provide for payment; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for the expenditure of funds; to provide for applicability.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb174.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 219: Relates to sexual offenses, so as to provide for seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicles operated by a person to facilitate certain sexual offenses.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb219.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 240: Relates to general provisions relating to retirement and pensions, so as to provide that any member of certain retirement systems shall be entitled to direct that all employer and employee contributions made by or on behalf of him or her, together with earnings thereon, be transferred to an account of his or her choosing so that he or she may manage the investment of such funds without the expertise or intervention of such retirement systems and that his or her membership and participation in any public retirement system be terminated; to provide that such persons shall thereafter be ineligible to participate in a public retirement system; to provide for an application; to provide for procedures; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb240.htm
Status:
Senate Retirement First Read
Bills Introduced in 2008:
*HB 336: Aims to change certain provisions relating to clinical evaluations and substance abuse treatment programs for certain offenders; to amend Code Section 40-6-391 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances, so as to revise the punishment provisions related to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances; to provide that a fourth violation of the crime of driving under the influence within ten years is a felony; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting. lawshttp://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb336.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 854: Aims to require labor organizations to file annual financial reports with the Secretary of State; to provide for legislative intent and findings; to provide for definitions; to require certain submissions by labor organizations to the Secretary of State; to provide for maintenance of substantiating records; to provide for access to members of the labor organization; to provide for public access to the financial reports; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for violations; to provide for civil actions; to provide for an exception; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conflicts of interest for public officers and employees, so as to prohibit state funds going to organizations which lobby the state.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb854.htm
Status:
House Industrial Regulations First Read
HB 875: Relates to service retirement allowance,
calculation, employee membership contributions, employer
contributions, optional membership, conditions, and construction of
provision, so as to provide for the continuation of the established
benefit formula.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb875.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted
HB 902: Relates to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to repeal certain provisions regarding sentencing of defendants guilty of crimes involving bias or prejudice, circumstances, and parole; to repeal certain provisions relating to notification to seek enhanced penalty; to repeal certain provisions relating to determination of defendant´s guilt, object of the offense, and enhancement of sentence.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb902.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 924: Aims to increase the penalties for teenage drivers convicted of multiple violations of failure to use a seat safety belt; to provide for license suspension based on certain violations relating to teenage drivers´ failure to use seat safety belts in passenger vehicles.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb924.htm
Status: House Rules
*HB 964:
Relates to boating safety zones, so as to modify certain
provisions relating to boating safety zones; to provide for boating
safety zones for the protection of
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb964.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted
HB 966: Aims so as to require a license to carry a pistol or revolver or renewal license to carry a pistol or revolver be issued more quickly under certain circumstances; to provide legislative findings; to provide for a cause of action and civil remedies where a license or renewal license is not timely issued
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb966.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-civil) Second Read
HB 968: Relates to speed detection devices, so as to exempt certain parks from the limitation of ten miles over the speed limit before making a case for speeding based on speed detection devices; to exempt certain counties from the limitation of using a speed detection device where the highway grade is more than 7 percent.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb968.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-civil) Second Read
HB 971: Aims to provide that a driver’s license issued by another state to an alien illegally present in the United States shall not be recognized as valid in the State of Georgia; to provide that an illegal alien who displays a driver´s license issued by another state to a law enforcement officer as authorization to drive a motor vehicle in this state shall commit a misdemeanor offense.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb971.htm
Status:
House Motor Vehicles Second Read
*HB 978: Relates to the uniform rules of the road for motor vehicles, so as to provide that any motor vehicle that is being operated by a person without a license shall be subject to removal; to provide for exceptions; to provide for return of the vehicle; to provide for fines; to amend Code Section 15-21-179 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to additional penalties for violation of traffic laws or ordinances, so as to extend the collection of certain additional penalties for traffic violations.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb978.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 983: Aims to provide for the arrest of certain offenders by out-of-state law enforcement officers.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb983.htm
Status:
House Passed/Adopted
HB 997: Aims to provide for written policies for enhancing witness identification and related protocol; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for training in enhancing witness identification accuracy; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest of persons, so as to provide for implementation of procedures for enhancing witness identification accuracy.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb997.htm
Status:
House Rules
HB 1071: Relates to obstruction
of public administration and related offenses, so as to make it
unlawful to knowingly remove or attempt to remove a taser from
certain persons.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1071.htm
Status: House
Passed/Adopted
HB 1118: Relates to general provisions relative to law enforcement officers and agencies, so as to define certain terms; to provide that a law enforcement agency may receive and investigate complaints from any peace officer concerning the possibility of unlawful activity on the part of another peace officer; to prohibit the disclosure of identity; to provide that no law enforcement agency shall retaliate against a peace officer for disclosing suspected unlawful activity; to provide for legal remedy.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1118.htm
Status: House Judiciary
Second Read
HB 1119: Aims to require the reports of convictions of driving without a license to be maintained by the Department of Driver Services; to specify a punishment for driving without a license; to require a person convicted of driving without a license to be fingerprinted for identification purposes.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1119.htm
Status:
House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read
HB 1218: Relating to investigation by commissioner of public safety, issuance of orders suspending or revoking permit, and ratio of speeding fines to agency's budget, so as to add another offense to the ratio considerations.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1218.htm
Status:
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Second Read
HB 1242:
Relates to restraining and protective orders in stalking
cases, so as to allow a protective order to include the protection
of animals.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1242.htm
Status:
House Judiciary Second Read
HR 1271: Aims to create the Joint Public Retirement System COLA Study Committee.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1271.htm
Status:
House Retirement Committee Favorably Reported
SB 339: Relates to general provisions concerning parks, historic areas, memorials, and recreation, so as to provide that persons who have valid firearms licenses shall be authorized to possess and carry firearms in state parks, historic sites, and recreational areas; to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions concerning hunting, so as to provide that persons who have valid firearms licenses shall be authorized to possess and carry firearms in wildlife management. areashttp://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb339.htm
Status:
Senate Judiciary Second Read
*SB 350:
Aims to change certain provisions relating to driver´s
license requirement, surrender of prior licenses, and prohibition of
local licenses; to require the Department of Driver Services to
maintain records of convictions for driving without a license; to
provide that courts with jurisdiction over traffic offenses shall
report convictions of driving without a license to the Department of
Driver Services; to change certain provisions relating to driving
while license suspended or revoked; to specify punishments and
exceptions for driving without being licensed; to amend Code Section
42-4-14 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
determination of nationality of person charged with felony or
driving under the influence and confined in a jail facility, so as
to provide for determination of nationality of person convicted of
driving without being licensed.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb350.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 354: Aims to provide another basis for first degree vehicular homicide.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb354.htm
Status:
Senate Motor Vehicles First Read
SB 373: Aims to provide for the emergency suspension of a peace officer’s certification under limited circumstances; to modify certain requirements pertaining to officer interviews for employment; to change references consistent with the modification.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb373.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 377: Aims to establish the office of natural resource law enforcement officer; to provide for the appointment of such officers; to provide for the qualifications of such officers; to provide for the provision of coverage for general liability and fidelity bonds; to provide for deputy natural resource law enforcement officers; to provide for the terms of such appointments; to provide for duties and powers; to redesignate conservation rangers as natural resource law enforcement officers; to amend Titles 12, 16, 35, 40, 47, and 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, crimes and offenses, law enforcement officers and agencies, motor vehicles and traffic, retirement and pensions, and waters of the state, ports, and watercraft, respectively, so as to conform other provisions of the Code
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb377.htm
Status:
Senate Natural Resources and Environment
*SB 421: Aims to change the penalties for the crime of knowingly manufacturing, selling, or distributing false identification documents based upon the age of the person convicted and the nature of the crime.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb421.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
*SB 430:
Relates to dissemination of DNA information in data bank to
law enforcement officials, request for search, separate statistical
data base authorized, and fee for search and comparative analysis,
so as to provide that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation may
compare such information to samples collected from evidentiary
materials.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb430.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
SB 448: Aims to change provisions relating to the procedure for indictment of a peace officer for crimes in the performance of his or her duties; to change provisions relating to the rights of the officer.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb448.htm
Status:
Senate Judiciary Read and Referred
SB 450: Aims to increase the penalty for aggravated stalking.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb450.htm
Status:
Senate Judiciary Read and Referred
SB 536: Aims to clarify venue for prosecution of stalking; to reorganize certain provisions of the article; to provide for definitions.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb536.htm
Status:
Senate Judiciary Committee Read and Referred; In Senate Rules
Committee
*SR 820: Aims to create the Joint Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Study Committee.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sr820.htm
Status:
Senate Passed/Adopted
Summary of Our 2008 Legislative Session
BILLS
PASSED: 10
DEAD BILLS:
68
VETOED BILLS: 3
Mo Thrash
David Stone